The titles in question include games like Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, and the Platinum-developed action game Transformers: Devastation. Owing to the nature of games based on external IPs, these games have become quite difficult to legally purchase, especially if you go further back to the Xbox 360/PS3 era.

Back in December, a new action game based on Transformers was announced, dubbed Transformers: Reactivate. The game is being developed by Splash Damage, who in the past has developed games like Gears Tactics.

For more details on Transformers: Reactivate, check out the trailer released for the game during The Game Awards 2022.

These headlines are wrong.
We have the code, it’s not lost and never was. pic.twitter.com/9Rr24FUlhb

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) August 1, 2023

However, several other titles, some underrated and others outright ignored, deserve to be remembered. It could be the port of a PC title or that one legendary movie tie-in that no one else remembers. Let’s dive into them.

The Thing

Trying to make an impact in the survival horror genre, especially with juggernauts like Silent Hill and Resident Evil around, is no easy task. Nevertheless, The Thing had interesting hooks, like the Fear/Trust system. If an NPC believes you were The Thing, they could attack, but even if unsure, they’d remain distrustful and ignore orders. They can also become scared, lash out, commit suicide or die from heart attacks. It wasn’t perfect, but The Thing presented a tense atmosphere with strong environmental variety.

Those pre-order from Game (UK only) will receive an unlock code for the G1 Retro Pack, allowing fans to play as the legendary G1 Optimus Prime from the original 1980s animated television show, in both single and multiplayer. Players will also be able to get their hands on the powerful G1-inspired Megatron gun and shockwave blast cannons in single player campaign.

Play.com offers the ability to command aerial destruction in multiplayer mode, unlocking Swoop, the Dinobots’ air ace. That’s a dinosaur, combined with a flying dinosaur. That breathes fire.

Fans of the Combaticons can pre-order the game at various other independent retailers, unlocking the G2 Bruticus skin, available for the single player campaign.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is out on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on 24th August in Europe and 21st August in North America. We previewed the game last month and guess what? We loved it.

Left screen is a Decepticon Mission – Right is BumbleBee in an Autobot Mission

Let’s start off by mentioning that this is a Nintendo 3DS title which implies that the game is in 3D.  Now some either cannot or prefer not to play in 3D because of various issues from dizziness to headaches, but I am not one of those people.  Unfortunately as hard as it may be to make a game in 3D and have it look good the 3DS version of Transformers: Dark of the Moon [Stealth Force Edition] fails to make it look good or even in 3D for that matter as at points no matter the angle it is held at you cannot see it in 3D, but rather just overlay after overlay.  Now having seen 3D trailers and playing other games in 3D on the portable console, it was clear that the game was not made to integrate well with the 3D features.  This was a huge disappointment as I was waiting to play the 3DS version of the game, while have the 3D setting off will give you a much more pleasurable experience.  The DS versions of the game prove to be more fun at any rate, however the graphics of the game are not too bad compared to your average DS game.

Even the cut scenes although original do not prove in anyway to take advantage of the system graphically being in non 3D cartoon drawn style.  Aside from the graphics the gameplay is extremely repetitive with each mission not changing much as far as objectives go other than what character you play as and the location you play in, which was one upside bringing you to different places to play each level.  Another aspect of the gameplay is the each level seems to be borderline between being very difficult to passable, but it certainly hurt my hands as I clenched the 3DS in fear of failing the level, trying my best.  All in all though once you get the hang of the controls it is not all that difficult.  The biggest throw off about the game was right there in the title, and call it myself to blame but ‘Stealth Force Edition‘ simply means that you cannot change into a Transformers.  You have two modes, the non-threatening vehicle mode and yet another vehicle mode that allows you to use missiles as well as a machine gun while still in vehicle mode and controls are now switched around.  You will have to get used to it as you will need to collect enough energon to be in attack mode while if you run out, you are forced to your defenseless driving mode, (thankfully ramming enemies at high speed can eliminate them) but energon re-spawns after time as well as appearing in dead enemies places as well as missile or other special gun refills which each Transformer can hold more or less of their specific special weapon.

Graphics are not all that bad while it’s the 3D that suffers

It is nice to see that you get to play as many of the different Autobots as well as Decepticons as their missions are split up nearly equally.  This is different from the DS versions of the game where two separate game are sold with one where you play as all Autobots and the other as all Decepticons.  Still there is only a mere 18 missions with some so short that once you get the hang of the game, it should not be hard to complete the whole game in less than two hours.  There is no multiplayer in the game either, no matter which way you have, which might have been a good choice considering the outcome of the game.  Each mission can be accessed individually as long as you have completed it.  The story is bare bones as it leads up to the movie or along with it as it is hard to tell as the scattered missions come about.  Sound of the game goes up and down especially during cut scenes where headphones are nearly required.

The title may come down to a love/hate sort of thing considering the controls can be mastered.  You will want to strafe from left to right using your special (until it runs out) and you infinite ammo machine gun, then switching to vehicle mode to zoom away looking for energon as well as special weapon ammo.  There are also power ups places through out maps from infinite ammo for a short time to a shield that also refills your health proving very helpful.  It still boils down to a very short game that could have been made with much better quality.  My suggestion would be to stay clear of this one unless you are a die hard Transformers fan, while you must keep in mind you are not getting any real 3D quality out of the game.  But although disappointing for me, you might find that being in a vehicle mode the entire game is an intrigue for you so I would throw this title in the never check out ever category, but at any rate it could have been developed better as you might find the DS versions more suitable.  It would be nice if you could demo the game if not from a download maybe from someone else who owns it similar to the Street Fighter 3DS game feature, but I would be careful with this title as the console game War for Cybertron is absolutely AMAZING compared to Stealth Force Edition for 3DS regardless of console differences.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS.

The new Transformers Universe MMO is on its way and there will even be a big event at the Comic Con in NYC which there was one at the Sad Diego one as well.  This years NYC Comic Con is this October and you can expect full coverage from GamingBolt.com.  Check out the exclusive  teaser trailer above.

Then there is the Vespula dual-sided gaming mouse pad with Optimus Prime on one side and Megatron on the other.  It has a comfortable wrist rest and although it has to be maybe the coolest looking out of all three items it’s priced at a hefty $45, it is one nice mouse pad.  That’s just the problem though… it’s a mouse pad.  Lastly is the Transformers 3 Collectors Edition Laptop Sleeve Case of course made by Razer.  They come in four colors as well for each of the same Transformers mention above in Yellow, Silver, Red and Purple.  I never really thought about owing a protective case for my laptop but they are made heady duty, tear-resistant and with a weather-proof weave.  They all sound and look like they are nice pieces of equipment, but I personally think that the theme of the whole set fits better with with old animated film with the solid colors as well as the sleek, yet not so fancy design.  Either way if you play game on the PC and you’re a big Transformers fan… well here is the link, more details on the whole Transformers 3 Collector’s Edition Gaming Suite items are through the link as well.

Here is one short teaser trailer for the new Transformers MMO entitled ‘Transformers Universe.  Jagex plans on publishing it sometime in 2012 with it being developed by NetDragon Websoft Inc.   Obviously you can choose whether you want to play either on the Autobot side or the Decepticon with the ability to customize both you fighting style and character, as it is an MMO after all.  Check out the Official Site here.

Well there is a BlizzCon and now a BotCon that has been announced specifically for the new Transformers MMO coming out. The Jagex Game Studio has officially announced the BotCon 2011 Official Transformers Fan Convention for June 3rd – 5th at the Pasadena Convention Center, California.  Fans will be able to design their own Transformers Character, meet the development team and pre-register for the beta.  Here is the official Press Release below.

CAMBRIDGE, UK – JUNE 1, 2011 – Jagex Games Studio, one of the largest independent games developers and publishers in the world, today announced the much anticipated name; TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE for the upcoming MMO based on the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro, Inc. as well as plans to attend TRANSFORMERS BotCon 2011, the official TRANSFORMERS fan convention, to unveil their vision for the browser based MMO for the Western World markets.

Visitors to BotCon will be the first to see the graphical style and direction for the game and be able to see firsthand how the Jagex development team is working with Hasbro to create the look and feel of it through live concept art and animation demonstrations at the Jagex booth.

The Jagex booth will offer fans a chance to meet and engage with members of the development team, and watch exclusive video footage of how a TRANSFORMERS character is developed in-game.

Those visiting the booth will also have the unique opportunity to design their own TRANSFORMERS character from in-game assets and take away a printed copy of their AUTOBOT or DECEPTICON creation. The ability to design and customise your own TRANSFORMERS character will be a key feature in the game and fans will be getting a first taste of what they can look forward to from this new MMO.

Jagex will also be welcoming the TRANSFORMERS community to contribute their thoughts and opinions about AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS in the video area of the booth, where the first battle for supremacy will begin. Who will come out on top?

Mark Gerhard, CEO at Jagex Games Studio, commented: “BotCon is the world’s premier destination for TRANSFORMERS enthusiasts and, with so many loyal fans gathered together in one place, it’s the natural event to unveil the very first details of TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE. It will be great to meet the TRANSFORMERS fans in person and we are especially excited about offering them the chance to design their own TRANSFORMERS character, which will be a key feature of the game when it launches next year.”

Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro, commented: “The unveiling of some of the first details of TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE from Jagex at BotCon, where Hasbro celebrates all elements of our hugely popular TRANSFORMERS brand, is an extremely exciting prospect for both Hasbro and the dedicated fanbase attending. We are delighted to welcome Jagex to the show and are sure that what the fans will able to see, participate in and take away from their experience at the Jagex booth will make them as excited about the upcoming MMO as we at Hasbro are.”

TRANSFORMERS BotCon runs from the 3^rd – 5^th June at the Pasadena Convention Centre, California. The Jagex booth can be found in the Main Conference Hall.

To register interest in TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE, fans can now visit: www.transformersuniverse.com

Here is the reveal trailer for the multiplayer of the new Transformers: Dark of the Moon game coming out.  More will be revealed at E3 this year undoubtedly.  The game will be out on June 14th for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii and 3DS.

Runescape dev Jagex has announced it’s partnered with Hasbro to bring a Transformers MMO to PC in 2012.

Hasbro, who hold the rights to the Transformers franchise, said they chose the studio because of its “outstanding track record” developing online games, and revealed it’s trying to assemble a “dream team” to deliver an “epic” Transformers game.

Jagex CEO, Mark Gerhard, said that “Transformers is one of the most iconic brands in the world and we are delighted to team up with Hasbro in order to bring our shared vision to reality.”

“There is a huge appetite for an online Transformers game and we will utilise every bit of our development and publishing expertise to deliver a dynamic and action-packed game that Transformers fans will find irresistible.”

If you get to create your own Transformer this could well be the next best thing since sliced bread. Until then we can sit tight and look forward to the sequel to last year’s excellent War for Cybertron.